A Visit to North West Mayo.
The All Seeing Eye.
One area of Ireland often overlooked by tourists and locals alike is that area of Mayo to the North and West of the town of Ballina. This Empty Quarter is often considered to be so far into the wilds that few if any visitors see its many treasures and sites. One such site is the little town of Foxford on the road from Castlebar to Ballina, which is home to this magnificent All Seeing Eye, so finely manufactured in stained glass by An Tur Gloine ( The Tower of Glass ). However this is not the only remarkable item in this lovely little village.
Mosaic of the all-Seeing Eye.
This very fine mosaic is found on the outside of St Marys Hall, just across the street from an excellent bronze statue recalling the links between Admiral William Brown, the founder of the Argentina Navy, and his award of the title of Liberator of The South Atlantic. William Brown was born in 1777 in the village of Foxford, and from here he set off to make his way in the world. On his way, he would join the Masonic Order of Garibaldi and play the leading part in removing the colonial power of Spain from Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Uruguay.
Admiral Brown – Liberator of the South Atlantic.
Just down the road in Ballina is the Lodge-room of Tyrawley Masonic Lodge No 217 Ballina, which traces its history from the year 1846. The building was originally used as an orphan girls school, founded by Thomas Armstrong and was known locally as The Birds Nest. The Grand Lodge of Ireland reissued Warrant No 217 to `Tyrawley Lodge’ in Ballina, Co. Mayo,on the 28th September 1846. This new Warrant was issued to Bros William Jones; George Irwin and John Wilson. On the 10th May 1871 Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter received a petition from the Brethren of 217 seeking the issue of a Royal Arch Warrant, to be attached to Lodge 217 I.C.
General View of the Lodge-Room to the East.
Eight members from the Lodge served in the 1914-18 War and Bros. Lieut. Wm. Hamilton R. Innis Fus. and Capt. F.F. Shannon R.A.M.C. made the supreme sacrifice. Amongst the artifacts preserved in the Lodge-Room is a well preserved three rung ladder bearing the legend – Faith – Hope and Charity.
Faith, Hope and Charity
Lodge 217I.C., like many other Victorian Lodges commissioned its own crested dinner service.
Lodge Crest on Tyrawley Lodge Dinner Plate.
And one thing that you can always be sure of is a warm welcolm at Tyrawley Lodge 217, Ballina.
The Welcome Mat at Tyrawley 217 I.C.
About irishfreemason
Rt Wor Bro Bashford lives in Ireland where he joined the Masonic Order in 1977. He became a Master Mason in 1978 and served as Master of his Mother Lodge, Moyarget No. 280 Irish Constitution in 1990. He was appointed Richard Robinson Memorial Lecturer in the Irish Masonic Province of Antrim in 1992 and 2004. In 1996 he was appointed Grand Master’s personal Standard Bearer by Most Wor. Bro Darwin Templeton, G.M. In 2000 he became the Millennium Master of the `irish Lodge of Research No. 200, and in 2001 went on to become Excellent King of the irish Chapter of Research No. 222.He is the current Editor of the Irish Lodge of Research, and has been since 1992, and of the Irish Chapter of Research since 1996. He was appointed Representative of the Grand Lodge of Portugal at the Grand Lodge of Ireland in 2006 ( a ten year appointment), giving him the courtesy title of Right Worshipful Brother. He is currently Provincial Grand Librarian for the Province of Antrim, and Curator of the museum at their headquarters in Belfast.